Chicago - Night and Day: Big-Band

Generally, when contemporary performers have taken on retro projects like this one, they have tended to emphasize their fidelity to the sources -- consider Linda Ronstadt hiring arranger/conductor Nelson Riddle to recreate his string backgrounds for albums like What's New. Chicago takes a different approach to the swing band classics it tackles here -- it Chicago-izes them. The arrangements are by trombonist James Pankow, who manages to make everything from Duke Ellington's "Caravan" to Glenn Miller's theme "Moonlight Serenade" sound like a lost Chicago track. Those familiar with the originals, many of which were instrumental hits, may be surprised to hear the lyrics to songs like "Sing, Sing, Sing." Clearly, the group is aiming more at pleasing contemporary fans than evoking nostalgia, and it succeeds in reinventing some well-established standards, even if older fans may find some of these versions radically altered. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bill Champlin Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Arranger Bruce Fairbairn Producer Bruce Gaitsch Guitar Erwin Musper Engineer Gipsy Kings Performer, Vocals Jack Duncan Percussion Jade Vocals James Pankow Trombone, Arranger Jason Scheff Bass, Vocals Joe Perry Guitar Lee Loughnane Flugelhorn, Arranger, Trumpet Luis Conte Percussion Mike Plotnikoff Engineer Paul Shaffer Piano, Performer, Liner Notes Robert Lamm Vocals, Keyboards, Arranger Sal Ferreras Percussion Tris Imboden Harmonica, Drums Walter Parazaider Woodwind